"What think you of that?" inquired Franz.
"Have you the money he demands?"
"Yes, all but eight hundred piastres."
The count went to his secretaire, opened it, and pulling out a drawer filled with gold, said to Franz:
"I hope you will not offend me by applying to any one but myself."
"You see, on the contrary, I come to you first and instantly," replied Franz.
"And I thank you; have what you will." And he made a sign to Franz to take what he pleased.
"Is it absolutely necessary, then, to send the money to Luigi Vampa?" asked the young man, looking fixedly, in his turn, at the count.
"Judge yourself," replied he. "The postscript is explicit."
"I think that if you would take the trouble of reflecting, you could find a way of simplifying the negotiations," said Franz.
"How so?" returned the count, with surprise.
"If we were to go together to Luigi Vampa, I am sure he would not refuse you Albert's freedom."
"What influence can I possibly have over a bandit?"
"Have you not just rendered him one of those services that are never forgotten?"
"What is that?"
"Have you not saved Peppino's life?"
"Ah! ah!" said the count, "who told you that?"
"No matter, I know it." The count knit his brows, and remained silent an instant.
"And if I went to seek Vampa, would you accompany me?"
"If my society would not be disagreeable."
"Be it so. It is a lovely night, and a walk without Rome will do us both good."
"Shall I take any arms?"
"For what purpose?"
"Any money?"
"It is useless. Where is the man who brought the letter?"
"In the street."
"He awaits the answer?"
"Yes."
"I must learn where we are going. I will summon him hither."
"It is useless: he would not come up."
"To your apartments perhaps; but he will not make any difficulty in entering mine."
The count went to the window of the apartment that looked on to the street, and whistled in a peculiar manner. The man in the mantle
